Deuteronomy 14:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Swine are unclean because they have split hooves but don't chew cud; dead swine must not be touched.
The Context of Deuteronomy 14:8
Second exception: animals with split hooves but no cud-chewing are forbidden.
What Does Deuteronomy 14:8 Mean?
The swine represents the mirror case: it has split hooves but does not chew cud. Like the previous exceptions, it fails one of the two required conditions and is therefore forbidden.
The prohibition extends beyond eating to touching the carcass—a stricter boundary. This suggests ritual contamination, not merely dietary preference, lies behind the classification.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 14:8
What does Deuteronomy 14:8 mean?
Swine are unclean because they have split hooves but don't chew cud; dead swine must not be touched.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 14:8?
Second exception: animals with split hooves but no cud-chewing are forbidden.